TIMING DISTRIBUTION
AND SYNCHRONIZATIONCOMPLETE SOLUTIONSFROM ONE SINGLE SOURCEFEMTOSECOND SYNCHRONIZATIONFOR LARGE-SCALE FACILITIESTAILOR-MADE FULLY INTEGRATED SOLUTIONSThe Timing Distribution System (TDS) is our answer to theneed of disseminating the most precise timing signal fromthe master clock throughout a large-scale research facility. Due to the all-optical technology the distributed signals suffer minimal added phase noise and drift and thus
ensure synchronization of the clients on the femtosecond
time scale over long distances. Our system is based on
modular devices, all designed and fabricated in-house.
The result is a fully integrated customized turn-key system according to the site specific requirements. All system components are also available for individual standalone applications. The Timing Distribution System isideally suited for fourth-generation accelerator facilities,
laser amplifier chains, or geodetic observatories.

The main building blocks of the Timing Distribution System
are an ultra low noise optical master oscillator that issynchronized to the master RF clock, a splitting andampliﬁcation unit to provide multiple optical signals to be
distributed to the various clients, dispersion compensatedﬁber links, and detection and stabilization electronics
to provide the error signals and the stabilization thereof.

Scheme of a femtosecond synchronization system
in operation at a geodetic observatory
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systelitemTiming
Distribution
System (TDS)
Menlo Systems’ Timing Distribution and
Synchronization System (TDS) is a solution for the distribution of stable opticalfrequencies and for the maintenanceof synchronization and timing in large
scale facilities.
The system is fully integrated and remote controllable. A mode locked laser
is used as the Optical Master Oscillator(OMO) which is synchronized to a lownoise RF oscillator or a cavity stabilized
CW laser, to obtain optimum phasenoise performance both close to and far
away from the carrier. The signal fromthe laser is amplified using our Source
Distribution Amplifier (SDA), and split up
using our fully in-fiber design SplitterBox (SPBox) into the required numberof ports. The pulsed, stable laser signal
is then distributed across the facility using our Stabilized Fiber Links (SFL) to
remotely synchronize lasers or RF systems with unprecedented overall precision and stability. Optionally, a drift-free
a Pulse-Per-Second (PPS) signal is offered at each system backend with
programmable frequency and delay.
With all components such as the laser
system, optics parts, electronics, andRF generation manufactured by Menlo
Systems the TDS is an all-from-one
solution allowing close interaction between user and manufacturer for fastand efficient system integration.

A p p l i c at i o n s
Timing distribution for
free electron lasers
synchrotron beam lines
radio telescope arrays
particle acceleratorslaser research centerslaser amplifier chains

Timing Distribution System (TDS)

S p e c i f i c at i o n s :Parameter

M E A S U R E M E NT DATA :Value

Comment

Added timing jitter (short term)*<4 fs

integrated, [0.1 Hz, 500 kHz]

Added timing drift*<10 fsRMS over 8 hours

Fiber link length<400 mFiber links per TDS platform

up to 7

Output type at backend

optical and RF

Optical power per client>10 mW

Optical wavelength

1560 nm

Design pulse repetition rate

50 - 250 MHz

Dimensions of one TDS platform enclosure

1156 x 986 x 182 mm

Drift-free pulse-per-second (PPS) distribution

optional

PPS output at system´s backend with programmablefrequency and delay; two independent channels

RF signal outputs at backend**

optional

low-noise RF signals at 5, 10 and 100 MHz; phasecoherent to the optical pulses

GHz-signal extraction at backend**

optional

low-noise, low-drift RF signal with frequency in therange of 1 - 6 GHz

Ambient temperature requirement

20 – 25 °C

Ambient temperature variation requirement±1 °C

for full specifications

System control electronics

included

19” rack housing

Length of connector cables to optical units

max. 6 m

Integrated feedback

includedControl system interfaces

USB/RS232

Auto lockincluded

Ambient temperature requirement

15 – 25 °C

Ambient temperature variation requirement±1 °C

Out-of-loop long term timing drift between two stabilized fiber links, measured below 1 Hz:

Optical Unit

upgradable anytime to 14

to be specified prior to system order
3

SYSTEM ELECTRONICS*Stability and drift determination in-house and on user site** Please contact us for further details

SYNCRO-RRE for locking of the OMO to the RFreferencefor full specifications

Out-of-loop timing jitter power spectral density (PSD) and integrated timing jitter between two stabilized fiber links,
measured from 0.5 MHz to 0.2 Hz:

TimingoPTICAL MASTERoSCILLATOR(TIMING-omo)
The Timing Optical Master Oscillator(Timing-OMO) is the source delivering
optical pulses for the timing distribution
system. The laser system is based on
an optical femtosecond oscillator using
an Er-doped fiber in Menlo Systems’
figure 9® design. Subsequent amplification of the oscillator output in a
Source Distribution Amplifier (SDA) unit
provides sufficient optical power for therequired client links. The repetition rateof the laser is synchronized to an external Radiofrequency Master Oscillator(RMO), the master timing reference ofthe facility.
Due to active stabilization and control ofeach fiber link all output pulses at thebackend are almost drift-free and thus
a reliable copy of the OMO pulses. The
femtosecond oscillator provides an additional optical output for the extensionof the timing system to up to 14 independent stabilized fiber links.

A p p l i c at i o n s
Low-phase noise opticalpulses fortiming distribution throughfiber links
PPS synchronization anddistribution

Timing OPTICAL MASTEROSCILLATOR (TIMING-OMO)
S p e c i f i c at i o n s :Parameter

M E A S U R E M E NT DATA :Value

Comment

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Laser architecture

Single side band phase noise PSD of a free-running 100 MHz erbium oscillator, normalized to the fundamental
repetition rate:

Er-doped fiber laser, PM, figure 9®

Active temperature stabilization<10 mKRMS over 8 hours

Repetition rate

50 - 250 MHz

to be specified prior to system order

Tuning range of repetition rate

>210 kHz*available with stepper motor

Number of outputs

2

for later system extension to up to 14 links

Output wavelength

1560 nmOutput wavelength tolerance±20 nmfactory-set

Optical pulse duration

N/A

output not dispersion compensated,
spectral bandwidth supports 100 - 250 fs FWHM

Monitor port output power~1 mW

fiber coupled (FC/APC), suitable to measure the optical
spectrum of the laser by an external OSA

Optical amplitude stability<0.1 %

RMS, [1 kHz, 10 MHz]

Integrated timing jitter (free-running)<10 fs

RMS, [1 kHz, 10 MHz]

1 GHz

3-dB bandwidth, electrical signal synchronous to laser
pulses; SMA connector

USB/RS232

documentation of the communication protocol included

OPTICAL OUTPUT

ElectricaL OUTPUTs
RF monitor port
remote control
Interface on 19” control unit
environmental requirements
Ambient temperature

20 – 25 °C

Ambient temperature variation±1 °C

for full specifications*Valid for lasers with repetition rate of 100 MHz. Tuning range can be smaller for lower repetition rates.

Optical spectrum and autocorrelation trace of a 100 MHz erbium oscillator after SDA and Splitterbox (SPBox):Stabilized
Fiber Link
(SFL)
The Stabilized Fiber Link (SFL) is alength-stabilized, dispersion-compensated optical link for the timing distribution system, comprising the subunits
Fiber Link Stabilization Unit (FLS) and
Link Fiber Connection-Receiver (LFCReceiver). With an attosecond precisionphase detector, actuators, and SYNCRO
locking electronics, the FLS unit on
the system reference side includes allnecessary components to stabilize thelength of the optical fiber link. The LFCReceiver on the client side consists ofa dispersion compensation module anda bi-directional optical amplifier. The
amplifier at the end of the link ensuresthe level of output power as required forthe clients. Part of the signal is reflectedback through the link to provide feedback on any length changes.

A p p l i c at i o n s
Low-drift and low-jitter
distribution of opticalsignals over larger distancesStabilized Fiber Link (SFL)

Optical fiber link:
Parameter

Value

Comment

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

S p e c i f i c at i o n s :Optical link stabilization unit:
Parameter

Comment

Fundamental design frequency

50 – 250 MHz

to be specified prior to system order

Added timing jitter<10 fs*RMS [3 Hz, 10 MHz]

Added timing drift<10 fsRMS over eight hours, measured with balanced crosscorrelator, out-of-loop measurement

Timing resolution<300 asdetection noise floor of integrated timing jitter[1Hz,10MHz]

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONSOPTICAL inPUT
Optical power>20 mW

Pulse duration<200 fs

Input connector

SC/APC

Fiber optic specifications

ITU-T G.652.D compliant

Effective link length<400 mDispersion compensation

DCF spool

DCF spool connectors

SC/APC

Wavelength

1560 nmCentral wavelength tolerance±20 nmAverage power>10 mW

Pulse duration<300 fs

Output port typeFree space or fiber coupled

Er-doped amplifier to compensate for link losses<1 mW

fiber-coupled (SC/APC), suitable to measure the optical
spectrum of the laser by an external OSA

utility and environmental requirements
Ambient temperature

20 – 25 °C

Temperature variation±2 °C

for full specifications; pertains to all link components
except the FLS unit** The compensation of the optical links has to be done “in the field“. The length of the DCF spools will be prepared based on link length
measurement data to be provided.

Parameter

Value

Comment

generalLink end point
FWHM, Gaussian, interferometric autocorrelation

SMA connector

utility and environmental requirements
Ambient temperature

20 – 25 °C

Temperature variation±100 mKfor full specifications; pertains to FLS unit only

Length of connecting cable

10 m

Between FLS unit and SYNCRO-FLS

Integrated feedback

SYNCRO-FLS

Menlo SYNCRO Platform, optimized for fiber link stabilization

yesmatched lengths of DCF and SMF**

Optical fiber link output on client side:

electrical output>100 mV

Monitor output port

SMF28+

FWHM, Gaussian, interferometric autocorrelation

opticaL OUTPUT at client side

Auto lock

SC/APC

In-loop link amplifier
Value

High sensitivity error signal

Input/output connectors

Automatic (re-)lock algorithm in SYNCRO-FLS

remote control
Control system interfaces front-end

USB/RS232

Interface to SYNCRO-FLS

Control system interfaces back-end

USB/RS232/Ethernet

Interface to LFC-receiver*full specifications only if the temperature stability of the environment is within specified range

partially reflective Faraday rotating mirror

version 1: optical free space output***
Pulse length<300 fs

Average output power>10 mW

Optical amplitude stability<0.1 %

Optical bandwidth>10 nmCentral wavelength

1560 nmCentral wavelength tolerance±20 nmBeam diameter

>1 mm

FWHM
RMS [1kHz-10 MHz]version 2: optical output fiber coupled***Pulse length<300 fs

Average output power>10 mW

Optical amplitude stability<0.1 %

Optical bandwidth>10 nmCentral wavelength

1560 nmCentral wavelength tolerance±20 nmOutput connector

SC/APC

FWHM; the real value has to be the same for all lines
RMS [1 kHz, 10 MHz]***Decision on either Version 1 or 2 for each of the links has to be made eight weeks prior to the start of manufacturing

m e a s u r e m e n t data :Out-of-loop long term timing drift between two stabilized fiber links:

Out-of-loop power spectral density (PSD) (black line) and integrated timing jitter (red line) between two stabilized
fiber links:

Menlo Systems GmbHAm Klopferspitz 19a
D-82152 Martinsried
Germany
T+49 89 189 166 0
F+49 89 189 166 111
sales@menlosystems.com

www.menlosystems.com

Menlo Systems, Inc.
56 Sparta Avenue
Newton, NJ07860
USA
T+1 973 300 4490
F+1 973 300 3600
ussales@menlosystems.com

Thorlabs, Inc.
56 Sparta Avenue
Newton, NJ 07860
USA
T+1 973 579 7227
F+1 973 300 3600
sales@thorlabs.com

D-SFL-EN 13/01/18

Balanced Opticalto Microwave
Phase Detector(BOM-PD)
The Balanced Optical Microwave Phase
Detector (BOM-PD) is a high resolution
stand-alone external phase detector
engineered for ultra-low noise detection of the phase between optical andRF signals. Due to its improved balanced Sagnac-interferometer technology this device is intrinsically low drifting
while having large detection sensitivity.
The BOM-PD does not only allow an
outstanding synchronization of a laser
source to a custom reference frequency, it can also be used to synchronize
a low noise voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) to the laser source for a radio
frequency synthesis.

A p p l i c at i o n
Synchronization of ultrafast lasers to RF signals in atiming distribution system
Synchronization of RF signals to ultrafast lasers in atiming distribution system
Synchronization of RF signals to the output of stabilized fiber links
Synchronization of voltage controlled oscillators (VCO) to an
ultrafast laser for low noise RF-extraction

Balanced Optical to Microwave
phase detector (BOM-PD)
S p e c i f i c at i o n s :bom-pd 800 nm

bom-pd 1060 nm

bom-pd 1560 nm

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

bom-pd 800 nm

bom-pd 1060 nm

bom-pd 1560 nm

utility and environmental requirements

Timing resolution*<10 fs<10 fs<10 fsAmbient temperature

20 – 25 °C

20 – 25 °C

20 – 25 °C

Relative jitter [3Hz-1MHz]<30 fs<30 fs<10 fsAmbient temperature variation

±1 °C

±1 °C

±1 °C

Relative drift (RMS over 8 hours; ambient
temperature stability ± 1°C)

<30 fs<30 fs<10 fsSupply voltages-15 VDC, GND, +15 VDC-15 VDC, GND, +15 VDC-15 VDC, GND, +15 VDC

Current consumption<1 A @ ± 15 V

<1 A @ ± 15 V

<1 A @ ± 15 V

Locking bandwidth**≥6 kHz≥6 kHz≥6 kHzLength of connecting cable to SYNCRO-RRE

4m

Temperature drift (RMS over 8 hours)***<10 mK<10 mK<10 mK

Device dimensions

413 x 178 x 120 mm

413 x 178 x 120 mm

Control system interfaces

no active control of the BOM-PD is necessary

Auto lockoptional, can be implemented only when using Menlo Systems SYNCRO platform

Value

Comment

4m
3

4m
3

413 x 178 x 120 mm3

OPTICAL inPUT
Spectral range

745 – 825 nm

1000 – 1100 nm

1530 – 1590 nm

Parameter

Max. incident power

100 mW

100 mW

100 mW

RF extraction option for bom-pd @ 800/1060/1560 nm

Fundamental design frequency****50 – 250 MHz

50 – 250 MHz

50 – 250 MHz

Optical input type

Fiber (Nufern PM780-HP) or
free space

Fiber (PM980XP) or freespace

Fiber (SMF28 or PM Panda)
or free space

RF input frequency range

1 - 6 GHz1 - 6 GHz1 - 6 GHz

RF input power (50 Ω impedance)

10 - 15 dBm

10 - 15 dBm

10 - 15 dBm

RF stability (RMS)<0.1 %<0.1 %<0.1 %

RF connector

SMA

SMA

SMA

Error signal amplitude (PP, sine wave)>400 mV>400 mV>400 mV

Output impedance

50 Ω

50 Ω

50 Ω

Detection sensitivity @ 3 GHz reference, 10dBm> 0.3 V/rad (80 mW optical
input)> 0.3 V/rad (80 mW optical
input)> 1 V/rad (20 mW optical
input)

Error signal shapesquaresquaresquareError signal output connector

SMA

SMA

SMA

ElectricaL input

electrical output*relative timing jitter between two lasers stabilized using the BOM-PD**or same as actuator resonances whichever applies first***when using Menlo Systems SYNCRO platform for the temperature controller****repetition rate of the laser, design frequency to be specified prior to system order

VCO

includedIntegrated PID loop

includedRelative timing jitter<15 fsRF output frequency range

1 - 6 GHz

RF output power>3 dBmRF output stability<1 %frequency to be defined prior to system order

RMS in 1 day continuous operation

m e as u r e m e n t data :Out-of-loop timing drift between optical pulses and RF-Reference:

Out-of-loop timing jitter spectral density: comparison between reference at 6 GHz and laser locked to reference:

Menlo Systems GmbHAm Klopferspitz 19a
D-82152 Martinsried
Germany
T+49 89 189 166 0
F+49 89 189 166 111
sales@menlosystems.com

www.menlosystems.com

Menlo Systems, Inc.
56 Sparta Avenue
Newton, NJ07860
USA
T+1 973 300 4490
F+1 973 300 3600
ussales@menlosystems.com

Thorlabs, Inc.
56 Sparta Avenue
Newton, NJ 07860
USA
T+1 973 579 7227
F+1 973 300 3600
sales@thorlabs.com

D-BOM-PD-EN 13/01/18

Balanced crosscorrelator
photodetection(Bcc-PD)
The high resolution optical balanced
cross correlator is optimized for detecting the timing error between thereference pulse train and a laser clientsystem with ultra-high sensitivity. Thebalanced detection makes the system
more robust reducing the phase deviation from unintentional amplitude variations (AM-PM conversion). The BCC-PD
is required for high level synchronization of femtosecond laser systems to areference pulse train.

A p p l i c at i o nTiming synchronization of two optical pulse trains at different wavelengths
Timing synchronization of an ultrafast laser to the output of a stabilized fiber
link
Timing synchronization of an ultrafast laser to an optical master oscillator
Timing synchronization within a laser amplifier chain or between different
setupsBalanced cross correlator
photodetection (Bcc-PD)
S p e c i f i c at i o n s :m e as u r e m e n t data :bcc-pd 800 nm

bcc-pd 1060 nm

bcc-pd 1560 nm

Optical input 1

1560 nm fiber coupled(SMF28 or PM Panda)

1560 nm fiber coupled(SMF28 or PM Panda)

1560 nm fiber coupled(SMF28 or PM Panda)

Spectral range input 1

1530 – 1590 nm

1530 – 1590 nm

1530 – 1590 nm

Optical input 2

Fiber (Nufern PM780-HP) or
free space

Fiber (PM980XP) or freespace

Fiber (Nufern PM780-HP) or
free space

Spectral range input 2

745 – 825 nm

1000 – 1100 nm

1530 – 1590 nm

Max. incident power

100 mW

100 mW

100 mW

Output impedance

50 Ω

50 Ω

50 Ω

Error signal amplitude

1 Vpp

1 Vpp

1 Vpp

Error signal shape

Dispersive S

Dispersive S

Dispersive S

Error signal output connector

SMA

SMA

SMA

Sensitivity @ 100 MHz lasers>15000 V/rad(50 mW optical input)>15000 V/rad(50 mW optical input)>15000 V/rad(50 mW optical input)

Supply voltages-15 VDC, GND, +15 VDC-15 VDC, GND, +15 VDC-15 VDC, GND, +15 VDC

Current consumption<1 A @ ±15 V<1 A @ ±15 V<1 A @ ±15 V

Operating temperature

10 - 40 °C

Device dimensions (stand-alone)

413 x 178 x 90 mm

10 - 40 °C
3Detection noise floor when seeding the BCC-PD with two identical signals from laser:
1) Long-term stability over 10 hours:

10 - 40 °C

413 x 178 x 90 mm

3413 x 178 x 90 mm32) Short-term stability:»

The design and integration of the Timing
Distribution System into the control systemof the facility is an intensive process of close
collaboration between Menlo Systems andour customer. We build on a strong relationship and offer reliable support at all times.

«

Dr. Pablo Dominguez
Product Manager
Contact: p.dominguez@menlosystems.com

Menlo Systems GmbH is a leading developer and global supplier of instrumentation for highprecision metrology. The company with headquarters in Martinsried near Munich is known for its
Nobel Prize winning optical frequency comb technology. With subsidiaries in the US and China
and a global distributor network, Menlo Systems is closely connected to its customers fromscience and industry. The main product lines are optical frequency combs, time and frequency
distribution, Terahertz systems, ultrafast and ultrastable lasers, and corresponding control electronics. Besides standard production, Menlo Systems develops and manufactures custom madesolutions for laser-based precision measurements.

Menlo Systems GmbHAm Klopferspitz 19a
D-82152 Martinsried
Germany
T+49 89 189 166 0
F+49 89 189 166 111
sales@menlosystems.com

www.menlosystems.com

Menlo Systems, Inc.
56 Sparta Avenue
Newton, NJ07860
USA
T+1 973 300 4490
F+1 973 300 3600
ussales@menlosystems.com

Thorlabs, Inc.
56 Sparta Avenue
Newton, NJ 07860
USA
T+1 973 579 7227
F+1 973 300 3600
sales@thorlabs.com